Rndmrunner

Hope, Charity and Faith: the true gifts of the magi. Thank you Ronyx

Its funny that while we have been enjoying the story for 5 months, the two couples have been together less than 2 weeks. Sort of the reverse of the standard where a novel may be written in months and span years or decades in the lives of the characters. Either way, big changes in all their lives.

My only question is why bother bringing in the whole legal team when this was going to be settled as "High Noon" or "Gunfight at the OK Coral"

Its a testament to your story that more than a few readers have a real hate on for Bumpkis.

Robbie is procrastinating and its going to lead to trouble in paradise.

Poor Gene, going home is going to be painful. But I fear poor Gene is a masochist. Maybe it will be a catalyst.

I will just say one word: Cousins?

I think that they actually do realize that times have changed and they DON'T like it and try to bully it away - HMMMM sounds familiar

I really enjoyed how you ended the story with a beginning. No need to elaborate on what happens now. You got them together but this story is done. Thank you for a great read.

Declan's coming out, he wants the world to know.... Good to see trust and peace between Declan and Bailey. Hopefully Bailey can put his razor away and move on. He will still carry his sorrow but be able to better cope

It is good to see that Joey has led a fulfilling life. Poor Gene is stuck. Nicky is a delight. His boundless energy jumps off the page.

The perfect chapter to send us on Thanksgiving: Ian, Adam and Paddy all giving thanks for their being together with Riley

I love As Time Goes By! Dame Judy (Jean Parroter) was no Miss Havisham though, a compulsive lier when she was flustered maybe but a strong independent women all the same. If Kaiden matures into Dame Judy's character, all good for him

Well, I have a feeling that Jake will be back and working hard to get back in our hero's good graces as the story is titled: All About Jake. The alternative is that Kaiden never gets over the breakup and that is just plain sad: Kaiden at 45, all Miss Havisham, still mooning over his one broken chance at romance. Nah, that too 1950's: queers leading tragic lives, we are past that now.

Great story. It will be hard for Joey after Allen's death, but Allen and Star and Ticker have given him the love and support to manage and tone happy. Thanks again

After all Joey has been through, I keep looking for something bad to happen when things are going well. I guess Joey feels that way as well. Here's to all the happiness in the world for Joey and Allen.

What a wonderful chapter. Adam holding Riley reminded me of meeting our daughter, tears and all. All you need is love, da dada da .....

Great beginning. I love the characters and the interplay between them. They immediate;y came to life. Having Benny certainly always helps too!

Joey is exceptional. Up till now, he wasn't living, just surviving. Hopefully now he can live and be the man he wants to be with Allen and family.

Great chapter. I am really enjoying this story. I did wonder about the coming out scene: " Over the next half an hour, I revealed to Aunt Jacq that since meeting Jacob, I have realised that I have an attraction to guys, although Jacob was a little younger than me, his looks and his small flirts were making me very uncomfortable, Aunt Jacq smiled pausing for a few moments to think what to say. “Your uncle and I love you very much, and your orientation makes no difference to this, we have suspected that you are gay or at least bi, and we agreed that we love you no matter what” she said to me and I was shocked, surprised and relieved at what Aunt Jacq had just said to me. " Two sentences to set up something that sounds like it will be pivotal to the story: Nav's identity as gay and a perfunctory acceptance by his family. We have only his retreat to his cabin to give a clue as to his feelings, you could get more from the scene.

Wonderful chapter and scenes between Gene and Joey. You capture a real truth here where we see that the outwardly tough Gene is much more fragile than Joey who while not seen as masculine has been tempered by experience and life and has become much stronger. Joey also retains his compassion and helps Gene in spite of having good reasons to stand back and protect himself.

As hard as it may be to have sympathy for Gene, the fact is that he has been abused by his father just as Allen was. He knew that his security and his father's love [?] or support was conditional on being straight and taking sides against Allen and Joey. He also saw the very real consequences of not conforming, at home and at school. No, Gene is not the bravest person but all have our limits.

Okay, how did I miss that this chapter came out??? The good news is I get to binge in this one and the next. I loved how Kaiden exhausted himself in the week leading up to the party: foolish and dramatic of him but good for us!

Poor Joey, he gets it from all sides. Now I have the feeling that he will take the heat for Gene as well. Its ironic for me that Gene was the fake name I gave a few times many years ago before I had come out. I guess it is the name for closest cases - no offence to other barber Genes.

Yes Teddy did actually grow a pair as Benji said. I seem to remember that this was going be your light simmer reading, something to take to the beach maybe. Not a chance! and we are all so grateful.